MARK YOUR CALENDARS. The Speedway Police Department will be holding quarterly Neighborhood Watch meetings in 2019. Meeting dates are listed below. All meetings to be held at the Community Health Pavilion on Main Street. Meetings start at 6:30 P.M.

Last year, we created an interest survey and had an overview presentation on the CERT program. We have now scheduled the class and all who completed the survey have had an opportunity to sign up, and are opening up the registration for the class to anyone in Speedway, even if you previously did not express interest (or if you have, you can still sign up, here!).

What is CERT?

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

How Does CERT Benefit the Community?

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

One also expects that under these kinds of conditions family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

If we can predict that emergency services will not meet immediate needs following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in an earthquake, and people will spontaneously volunteer, what can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?

First, present people the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services. Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness. Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Fourth, organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.

I want to help, what do I need to do?

Attend the CERT 21-hour basic training course to become a Team Member. You will learn how to prepare yourself, your family and your community for a disaster. Become familiar with tools to help you organize after a disaster and how to conduct triage and provide basic first aid. Learn to assess damage after the disaster, extinguish a small fire, conduct searches and rescue victims safely, and complete a small-scale disaster simulation!

The Speedway Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association has made arrangements with Indianapolis Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security to have the basic training course for Speedway residents. Our class is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday February 2-4 at the Community Center at Flanner & Buchanan on High School Road.

Once you have completed the basic course, you are eligible to take advanced classes from the DHS in a variety of additional topics they offer each year, ranging from Disaster First Aid, Radio Communications, Search & Rescue, and more.

There is no cost to attend; however, please note that This Is A 21 Hour Course and You Must Attend The Entire Series Of Three Dates listed below.

Just a reminder: The Speedway Police Department’s next Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held tomorrow night, with the topic being an informational session on the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, followed by a Q & A with SPD.

The next Speedway Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4th at 6:30 PM. See attached flyer for details.

Due to the excellent response to our Community Emergency Response Team survey, we will have an informational presentation provided to us by the IMPD Bureau of Homeland Security / Emergency Management Agency. Please join us to see how YOU can get involved! Interested residents may still compete our brief interest survey on CERT at the link above or at the meeting.

We will also have an open Q & A forum with the Speedway Police Department.

The Speedway Police Department is inviting residents of Speedway to join members of the Department in celebrating the 33rd Annual National Night Out crime prevention event. The event, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, brings over 38.1 million people in more than 16,540 communities together to promote the partnership between the police and the community. The event will encourage crime, drug and violence prevention, safety, and neighborhood unity. Citizens across America can send a powerful message about neighborhood unity, awareness, safety, and police-community partnerships. Let criminals know that the Town of Speedway is united and dedicated to building a safer, more caring community. Please join the members of the Speedway Police and Fire Departments for the event to be held on Tuesday,October 11, 2016, in Meadowood Park from 5:30PM to 7:30PM.

Highlights of the National Night Out event will include free food and drinks provided by area merchants (while supplies last), police demos, and information about various anticrime initiatives. We’ll also have music, kids’ activities, information booths from public safety-related organizations, civic groups, town departments, and much more!

*This information is being released in coordination with the Speedway Police Department.

Indianapolis – Shortly after 1 p.m. today officers from the Speedway Police Department received information of a possible wanted subject, 57 year old Douglas Gaultney of Knox County Indiana, in a white van in the area of 18th and MacArthur Lane, in Speedway. Officers were able to locate and make contact with Gaultney, who was the sole occupant of the van. Gaultney immediately brandished a shotgun causing the officers to move to a safe position and call for additional help. Gaultney was making statements that led police to believe he did not have intentions of exiting the vehicle.

The Speedway Police Department SWAT team, along with the Indiana State Police SWAT team and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department all responded to the scene. Officers attempted to negotiate with Gaultney for several hours. Gaultney exited the van at one point with the shotgun in his hands but immediately re-entered the van.

Shortly before 7 p.m. members of the Indiana State Police SWAT team and the Speedway Police SWAT team attempted less lethal tactics of tear gas and use of an armored state police vehicle to encourage Gaultney to peacefully surrender. However, Gaultney chose to get out of the van armed with a shotgun that he pointed at officers. This action resulted in several police officers shooting Gaultney who then fell to the ground. Life saving measures were immediately initiated by police officers until medics, who were staged nearby, were able to provide direct first-aid to Gaultney. Gaultney was then transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition and at the writing of this release was in surgery.

No police officers or other citizens were injured during this police action shooting. Crime Scene Investigators are currently on the scene collecting and preserving evidence, as well as investigators from the Indiana State Police and Speedway Police Department.

Douglas Gaultney was wanted out of Knox County on violation of probation for possession of marijuana.

This is an ongoing investigation and there is no further information available at this time.

The Speedway Police Department encourages you to call if you feel something is suspicious or potentially warrants their attention. They are more than happy to patrol any areas necessary to help identify or deter any potential dangers. If you feel something to be suspicious NEVER hesitate to call the department.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Speedway Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch meeting, held on Thursday, March 3, 2016. It was an excellent turnout, and we appreciate everyone for attending.

Sgt. Mirantha Wilson introduced Joe Kramer and John Merritt of the Code Enforcement Division of the Speedway Police Department.

Officer Kramer explained to the residents of several concepts and duties of the Code Enforcement Division. Kramer advised the group that there was a team concept which involved all the different agencies within the town such as the police & fire department, street department, sanitation and water department. Kramer explained since the arrival of the new Town Manager Ian Nicolini there are monthly staff meetings and reviews involving all the department heads and discussions on current town projects, new ideas and development to help serve and keep the town a safe and clean community.

Kramer discussed other towns and cities are mentoring what our Code Enforcement Division is doing and accomplishing. Along with that, Officer Kramer and Merritt were asked to speak at this year’s Indiana Associations of Cities and Towns which is being hosted in downtown Indianapolis. Officer Kramer spoke of the top complaints in the town as far as code enforcement and those were overgrown grass, not to exceed 6 inches, debris, trees, abandoned vehicles, animal complaints, right of way issues, and parking. The parking complaints were of those people parking their vehicles in their yards and those who park the wrong way facing oncoming traffic. These are not permissible and are subject to a $50.00 for each separate offense. Officer Kramer also stated the town’s ordinances were under review with two titles complete and approved by the Town Council. Kramer advised the Town Council has been very forthcoming of revising and updating our ordinances to improve our town’s quality of life.

Officer John Merritt is the Town’s Building Commissioner and also is a code enforcement officer. Mr. Merritt spoke of what type of building permits are required by the town. Mr. Merritt explained that if you were conducting a renovation, building a deck, barn, home or garage addition or new construction, a permit would be required. Mr. Merritt encouraged when in doubt call him and if your project requires or doesn’t require a permit he would let you know. Mr. Merritt advised how Speedway is unique in that when you purchase a permit you get service with an inspection for each permit issued. Each inspection assures that you as the homeowner are getting the quality of work you paid for by your contractor. Mr. Merritt also advised that there are three other members of his team. These members are Kevin Schrader, who inspects the electrical permits and Jim Fink, who inspects the plumbing. Brent Schneider, a new resident of our town, and a 20 year building official backs up all members of the team when needed. Mr. Merritt expressed how the division picks up signs in the right of way of businesses or people selling things and advertising. This also includes the signs people put on utility poles. Mr. Merritt confirmed the team concept of not only the town employees but that of the townspeople who reside in our town. Mr. Merritt stated our division is here to work with all our residents and businesses to build a strong community. The Code Enforcement officers were thrilled of how many residents attended the meeting. The officers encouraged the community to call if they have a complaint or questions.